Whose Responsibility Is the Instruction of Children Concerning Civil and Moral Things?
Key Concept: The instruction in civil and moral things is the responsibility of parents and teachers, and is part of a proper education (True Christian Religion 443).
Every one learns from parents and teachers to live morally, that is, to act the part of a good citizen, and to perform those honorable duties, pertaining to the various virtues, which are the essentials of honorable conduct. He learns to give outward expression to these essentials in what are called the proprieties of life; and as he grows in years, to add a rational appreciation to these, and so perfect his moral character (True Christian Religion 443).
That all worship is natural to begin with, and that it afterwards becomes spiritual by means of truths out of the Word and a life in accordance with them, is known; for a man is born natural, but is educated to become civil and moral, and afterwards spiritual, for in such a manner he is reborn (Apocalypse Revealed 161e).
From childhood to early youth communication is opened with the interior natural by learning what is decent, orderly, and honorable, both by instructions from parents and teachers and by studies. And from youth to early manhood communication is opened between the natural and the rational by learning the truths and goods of civil and moral life, and especially the truths and goods of spiritual life, through the hearing and reading of the Word (Arcana Coelestia 5126:3).
It must be understood that all works and deeds pertain to moral and civil life, and therefore have regard to what is honest and right, and what is just and equitable, what is honest and right pertaining to moral life, and what is just and equitable to civil life (Heaven and Hell 484).
Every properly educated man is rational and moral; but there are two ways to rationality, one leading from the world and the other from heaven. He who becomes rational and moral from the world, and not also from heaven, is only rational and moral in outward speech and behavior, but inwardly he is a beast, in fact a wild beast, because he acts in unison with those who are in hell, where all are of this character. On the other hand, he who is rational and moral from both the world and heaven, is truly rational and moral, because he is so in spirit, speech and behavior. For the spiritual, which actuates the natural, the sensual and the corporeal, is within his speech and actions as their soul. Such a man also acts in unison with those who are in heaven (True Christian Religion 564:2).
Whose Responsibility Is the Instruction of Children Concerning Civil and Moral Things?
Key Concept: The instruction in civil and moral things is the responsibility of parents and teachers, and is part of a proper education (True Christian Religion 443).
Every one learns from parents and teachers to live morally, that is, to act the part of a good citizen, and to perform those honorable duties, pertaining to the various virtues, which are the essentials of honorable conduct. He learns to give outward expression to these essentials in what are called the proprieties of life; and as he grows in years, to add a rational appreciation to these, and so perfect his moral character (True Christian Religion 443).
That all worship is natural to begin with, and that it afterwards becomes spiritual by means of truths out of the Word and a life in accordance with them, is known; for a man is born natural, but is educated to become civil and moral, and afterwards spiritual, for in such a manner he is reborn (Apocalypse Revealed 161e).
From childhood to early youth communication is opened with the interior natural by learning what is decent, orderly, and honorable, both by instructions from parents and teachers and by studies. And from youth to early manhood communication is opened between the natural and the rational by learning the truths and goods of civil and moral life, and especially the truths and goods of spiritual life, through the hearing and reading of the Word (Arcana Coelestia 5126:3).
It must be understood that all works and deeds pertain to moral and civil life, and therefore have regard to what is honest and right, and what is just and equitable, what is honest and right pertaining to moral life, and what is just and equitable to civil life (Heaven and Hell 484).
Every properly educated man is rational and moral; but there are two ways to rationality, one leading from the world and the other from heaven. He who becomes rational and moral from the world, and not also from heaven, is only rational and moral in outward speech and behavior, but inwardly he is a beast, in fact a wild beast, because he acts in unison with those who are in hell, where all are of this character. On the other hand, he who is rational and moral from both the world and heaven, is truly rational and moral, because he is so in spirit, speech and behavior. For the spiritual, which actuates the natural, the sensual and the corporeal, is within his speech and actions as their soul. Such a man also acts in unison with those who are in heaven (True Christian Religion 564:2).
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